Going from XP to W7 - RAM upgrade question

NiftyDigits

If it is the HP Pavilion t360.uk, then it's the ASUS P4SD-LA (Yale)

Update the BIOS to the latest version:

Under Windows XP; Place a Floppy Disk in the Drive, double click on “My Computer” icon, right click on drive A:\ and choose “Format".

Download the BIOS update for the HP Pavilion t360.uk here

Un-Zip the contents and drag(or copy and paste) the two files(AFUDOS & 328.ROM) that are within the unzipped folder, on to the Floppy(A:)

In addition, in the BIOS device boot sequence, you must set boot from "Floppy Drive" as the first device in the order of boot sequence.

Now you can restart the machine, when it starts from the Floppy and gives the a black screen with white writing and an A: prompt, type:AFUDOS and hit the Enter key.

This will show you the syntax necessary to flash the BIOS.

If it shows afudos /i(BIOS file name), then type:afudos /i328.ROM and then hit the Enter key.

If just afudos (BIOS file name), then type:afudos 328.ROM and then hit the Enter key.

AFUDOS 328.ROM /P /C and then the Enter key should also work.

Only when the sequence completes, should you remove the Floppy Disk

[Deleted User]

What will happen if I do nothing and just keep on using my Windows XP I am quite happy for the amount of time I use a computer and have just got a scary message from Windows telling me I must buy a Windows 8.1. plus a new Outlook Express, and even a new computer !!! a lot of layout for an old woman who isn't that technical at all :):).

prowla

If you were to upgrade to 4 GB (or even 3 GB) you might see an apparent increase in performance; it very much depends whether you can get it cheaply (remember to avoid "Server", "ECC" and "Registered" memory).

Windows 7 32-bit is fine; you wouldn't be able to tell the difference without checking the computer properties!, and the only real difference in practical terms between a 32-bit and 64-bit application is that Excel worksheets can be larger on the 64-bit version.

@JackieO - There is nobody telling you you have to upgrade to Windows 8.1, buy a new PC, etc., and it is perfectly acceptable to upgrade to Windows 7. As far as the change, I would say that Windows 7 should be familiar to, but better than Windows XP in pretty much every way. My opinion is that Windows 8 (and 8.1) is an awful working environment, so I see no purpose in moving to that.

poppellerant

I don't think your CPU supports 64-bit, therefore you will only be able to use 32-bit versions of Windows. This means the maximum amount of memory Windows will see is about 3.5GB - this might fall to about 3.3GB if you have onboard graphics, as it can use around 256MB of the system memory.

One thing to try, if you want to see if your processor will run 64-bit code, is downloading an ISO image of Windows, burning it to CD/DVD and trying to startup the computer from the disk when you see the HP BIOS screen and logo.

You can download the ISO images from here: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/. For 32-bit, you need x86 in the title (ie: Windows 7 Home Premium x86 English) - for 64-bit, look for x64 (ie: Windows 7 Home Premium x64 English).

JJ_Egan

JackieO wrote: »

What will happen if I do nothing and just keep on using my Windows XP I am quite happy for the amount of time I use a computer and have just got a scary message from Windows telling me I must buy a Windows 8.1. plus a new Outlook Express, and even a new computer !!! a lot of layout for an old woman who isn't that technical at all :):).

It will work as it does now .
If at some time in the future hackers find a loophole in XP then Microsoft may not supply a security fix .

Upgrade i would ignore win 7 and either upgrade to win 8 or wait for Windows 9 .
In my view Windows 8 with Classic Shell add on is the best Windows OS .

emptybox

poppellerant wrote: »

I don't think your CPU supports 64-bit, therefore you will only be able to use 32-bit versions of Windows. This means the maximum amount of memory Windows will see is about 3.5GB - this might fall to about 3.3GB if you have onboard graphics, as it can use around 256MB of the system memory.

One thing to try, if you want to see if your processor will run 64-bit code, is downloading an ISO image of Windows, burning it to CD/DVD and trying to startup the computer from the disk when you see the HP BIOS screen and logo.

You can download the ISO images from here: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/. For 32-bit, you need x86 in the title (ie: Windows 7 Home Premium x86 English) - for 64-bit, look for x64 (ie: Windows 7 Home Premium x64 English).

Yes.
If injuredrunner's machine is the one pointed to by NiftyDigits in post 12, then it almost definitely will only support 32 bit operating systems, so forget about 64 bit for that machine.
No socket 478 CPUs were 64bit compatible AFAIK.

I presume the BIOS update instructions were to do with putting more than 2GB of RAM in it?

ETA: A bit more googling shows there were a few 64 bit Prescott P4s that fitted the 478 socket. (you learn something new everyday )
But no Northwood ones were 64 bit

NiftyDigits

emptybox wrote: »

Yes.
If injuredrunner's machine is the one pointed to by NiftyDigits in post 12, then it almost definitely will only support 32 bit operating systems, so forget about 64 bit for that machine.
No socket 478 CPUs were 64bit compatible AFAIK.

I presume the BIOS update instructions were to do with putting more than 2GB of RAM in it?

ETA: A bit more googling shows there were a few 64 bit Prescott P4s that fitted the 478 socket. (you learn something new everyday )
But no Northwood ones were 64 bit

That is not the case in this instance. Just an important update prior to the installation Windows 7.

prowla

JJ_Egan wrote: »

It will work as it does now .
If at some time in the future hackers find a loophole in XP then Microsoft may not supply a security fix .

Upgrade i would ignore win 7 and either upgrade to win 8 or wait for Windows 9 .
In my view Windows 8 with Classic Shell add on is the best Windows OS .

Classic Shell is quite nice and addresses one of Windows 8's deficiencies, but it's not part of the OS and it's not as responsive as the start menu in Windows 7; it seems a bit laggardly to me. So even with that bit of lipstick on, Windows 8 remains the ugly sister.

poppellerant

NiftyDigits wrote: »

If it is the HP Pavilion t360.uk, then it's the ASUS P4SD-LA (Yale)

Update the BIOS to the latest version:

Under Windows XP; Place a Floppy Disk in the Drive, double click on “My Computer” icon, right click on drive A:\ and choose “Format".

Download the BIOS update for the HP Pavilion t360.uk here

Un-Zip the contents and drag(or copy and paste) the two files(AFUDOS & 328.ROM) that are within the unzipped folder, on to the Floppy(A:)

In addition, in the BIOS device boot sequence, you must set boot from "Floppy Drive" as the first device in the order of boot sequence.

Now you can restart the machine, when it starts from the Floppy and gives the a black screen with white writing and an A: prompt, type:AFUDOS and hit the Enter key.

This will show you the syntax necessary to flash the BIOS.

If it shows afudos /i(BIOS file name), then type:afudos /i328.ROM and then hit the Enter key.

If just afudos (BIOS file name), then type:afudos 328.ROM and then hit the Enter key.

AFUDOS 328.ROM /P /C and then the Enter key should also work.

Only when the sequence completes, should you remove the Floppy Disk

http://support.asus.com.tw/images/Afudos2.jpg

There is an automated tool here which may save a lot of trouble.

JJ_Egan

prowla wrote: »

Classic Shell is quite nice and addresses one of Windows 8's deficiencies, but it's not part of the OS and it's not as responsive as the start menu in Windows 7; it seems a bit laggardly to me. So even with that bit of lipstick on, Windows 8 remains the ugly sister.

Lightning fast for me is Classic Shell .